This is a solid, well-rounded program. AMC is the largest and busiest level 1 trauma center in all of NY. So for everyone debating between Einstein and this, I would find it hard to believe that they see more trauma than AMC. There is a designated trauma OR everyday for the traumas that come in to the medical center. This is an unrivaled trauma experience.
Intern year is spent doing 6 months under general surgery and 6 months under orthopaedic surgery. As an intern, you have a balanced year spent in the OR and ED managing fractures/trauma. As a 2, you are in the ED managing all orthopedics patients. There is strong didactics component, including attending based sessions, resident taught lectures and anatomy lab; it is designed for the 2's. Thereis also weekly OITE review, grand rounds and monthly journal club, which the attendings go to as well. By November, the 2's know orthopaedics and have pretty much learned Rockwood's cold. It is impressive to see. As a PGY-3->5, you are simply operating. The program has all subspecialties, with the exception of Peds, which you do 3 months of as PGY-4 at Shriner's in Springfield, Mass. Tumor and F and A are at AMC and the surrounding hospitals. Residents get strong fellowships in all subspecialties (One chief is going to Baptist for Spine, another to Andrew's for sports). There is a strong sense of camaraderie in the program and from what I can see all years are close with one another. Research is available for those interested, and ranges from clinical projects to basic science performed in conjunction with either the medical college or RPI. The affiliation with the medical college provides ample teaching opportunities, and gives the program an academic feel. There is a large attending group with whom the residents work and includes a lot of young attendings. It seems like a great program. If you can get past living in Albany, which isn't as "upstate" as people think, you'll realize how strong it is.
